Ekspresowa Analiza Zagrożenia Agrofagiem: Cochliobolus carbonum

Cochliobolus carbonum is one of more than 40 species of bagworms belonging to the genus Cochliobolus (anamorph: Bipolaris/Curvularia). The pathogen is recorded worldwide (Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, China, Congo, Denmark, Egypt, India, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Solomon Islands and the United States). C. carbonum causes leaf spot and cob disease of maize, while the imperfect stage causes Helminthosporium helminthosporiosis of maize leaves); however, the losses caused by disease outbreaks are not economic. Cochliobolus carbonum can infect all organs of the corn plant, including roots, stalks, cobs and panicles. Symptoms of infestation vary depending on the infested organ. There are no literature reports of detection of the pathogen in the PRA area, however, the occurrence of this agrophage is often confused with other species of the genus Helminthosporium. The biology of the species coincides with the climatic conditions prevailing in the PRA area. The presence of other species of the genus Cochliobolus allows us to assume that the agrophage will easily establish itself if it enters Poland.